Hitchcocks Forum

Hi, I am replacing a punctured tube in the front wheel of my C5. I have the first bead on and the tube in but I cannot get the final bead onto the wheel. I have used the tyre soap but the final 8 inched is impossible to get over the rim and is excruciatingly tight. I am bending tyre levers and worried I'll break the bead.
Are there some tips for doing what should be a simple job. I'm embarrassed to ask about what should be a simple job. Any help appreciated.

Just make sure all the rest of the bead is pushed fully down into the centre of the rim. Including the bit next to the valve. To do this you need to set the nut near the very end of the valve stem and push the valve back into the tyre so the bead can sit between the tube and the rim. I usually "walk" the tyre onto the rim with my heels, starting either side of the valve and working round, that's sometimes enough to get the whole thing on. If not, I hold the tyre in place with my knees and ease the last bit over with two levers at once. I've also seen someone use a garden spade just above the bead to push the last bit over.

Washing up liquid helps too, slippier than soap but do wipe it off after with a damp cloth because it's a bit too slippy and can make the tyre spin on the rim after fitting.

Warm the tyre up, makes a big difference.
Sit the wheel on wooden battens so it's stable
Start opposite the valve and ensure the beads are right down in the well of the rim.
Take it a tiny bit at a time and use washing up liquid or proper tyre soap.
I used to be able to do it just with my hands when I was a youth

I think it’s all been said.

Warm tyre
More lubricant.
Opposite tyre Well into rim well.
Only additional thing and a nightmare on BM cast wheels, if you have any corrosion on the rim, get it off first.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll start the 2nd bead again with a warm tyre and soap and it looks like sinking the tyre well into the rim might make it less stretched. It is difficult to feel rushed when you can't go anywhere.

You may find it a little easier to start putting it on opposite the valve.
Look on You tube, there are instructions on there to fit tyres using zip ties. I tried this method, with a bit of scepticism, for the first time a couple of weeks ago on my bullet, front and rear went off and on a treat.
Who says you can' t teach an old dog new tricks - I'm so old my daughter says I'm nearly dead!!

Another thought, How old is the tyre? there is usually a date stamp on the wall, anything over 5 years old should be changed anyway.
Tyres get stiff with time, as the rubber degrades it loses a lot of grip.
I had to swap a pair 25 years old ( on a customers bike ), to avoid damaging the rims I cut them off, they were so tough.